In November 2025, the government published the Healthy Homes Standard, a set of design requirements now used by Homes England, its delivery partners and consultants involved in the funding, commissioning and design of new homes under the Social and Affordable Housing Programme (“SAHP”).

For many registered providers (RPs), it may initially appear to consolidate existing best practice. In reality, it represents a significant shift in how daylight and sunlight should be understood, managed and prioritised. The most important change is this: daylight is no longer just a consideration if requested for planning. It is a funding issue.